Abigail McArdle Named Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for MayBy: Phelps Media Group

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the title of Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for May. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY - June 7, 2012 - Abigail McArdle, of Barrington Hills, IL has been named the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for May.

McArdle competes in the East Conference Junior Division of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series aboard Cosma 20. The month of May was a success for McArdle and her riding partner, as they earned two first place finishes; one at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show and one at the Kentucky Spring Classic.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series honors one rider each month as the Rider of the Month. The honor goes to the one rider who earns the most points on one horse in Series competition that month.

"We would like to congratulate Abigail McArdle on being our Rider of the Month for May," said George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. "Abigail and Cosma 20 have had many successes this year, and we know she will continue to show well in the future."

"It's a wonderful award and I had no idea I was going to receive it, so it's really an honor," expressed McArdle. "I'm lucky to have such a fabulous horse. It's wonderful to have a horse that can lay down double clear rounds consistently, especially at the High Junior Jumper level."

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series saw competition at 10events during the month of May, and will see classes at more than 100 horse shows before the Series culminates in the Year-End Championships at the Alltech National Horse Show in November.

The Series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders in two Conferences-the East Conference and the West Conference. Series standings are used to help determine junior and amateur-owner entries for the Alltech National Horse Show.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, held under Grand Prix rules and specifications. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition. The series receives sponsor support from SmartPak, Taylor Harris Insurance Services and Stadium Jumping, Inc.

Any horse show offering a class that meets all the criteria set forth in the 2012 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series specifications and has prize money of at least $1,000 is eligible to be part of the Series.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Plaques honoring those who have been honored with induction into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park's Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport's history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series are currently available. For more information, please contact Jonathan Bauman at Jonathan@classic-communications.com or call 508-698-6810 extension 12.

For more information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, including Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.showjumpinghalloffame.net.